USMNT:6 Year Hiatus

The US Mens National Team (USMNT) has some time to think about why they did not qualify for the world cup, especially the controlling powers (U.S. Soccer).

Many are already pointing fingers and coming up with lame excuses of why... everything from Klinsmann to weak youth program. So here is my take on why it failed and what others are saying is dead wrong.

Lets start with the youth program...no, our youth program is not failing us on the international level. Our strong women's program is evidence of that, as they win at all levels and are dominant year in year out. We are sending some of our best to play around the world during their development years.

Klinsmann killed the team...this is the most laughable excuse out there, here is a man that has won at all levels as a player and as a coach. Probably understands the game more than anyone in this country.  Klinsmann was building toward a youth movement and was patiently developing players and pushing the older past their prime players out the door. But U.S. Soccer did not like his plan so he was ousted.

Arenas killed USMNT, he killed it the first time he was coach and left it in the hands of Bob Bradley, and he just killed it again. Arenas does not have the knowledge to win at the top level and just tries to fill seats using MLS stars. He starts first time players in their late 20s, instead of younger players with a future in front of them. Look at soccer around the world, most of the top players are on the down side of their career at 26-27 years old. The whole reason professional teams recruit and train players in their early teens is so they have them at their prime in their early 20s, it is the nature of the game.

Bradley killed USMNT, both father and son. They are both horrible and should not have been given the power that they have had. Neither of them can win at any level.

Television killed USMNT. You could not watch their games unless you had special television packages. How do you garner support for any team, in any sport, without the proper media coverage. Television drove away the fan base.

So how do we solve this (and we have 6 years to figure it out)? Follow the Klinsmann plan and invest in our youth, forget the Donovans, the Dempseys, the Bradleys. Get rid of Arenas and everyone every associated with him. Go out and find your next Pulisic, Yedlin, put your money in the U-17 and U-18 teams. Those players are the ones that will carry you into the next World Cup